Monday, April 30, 2012

Module #14-Poetry & Story Collections-CRANK


CRANK
by Ellen Hopkins
Book Summary: Kristina calls herself Bree, in order to separate from the rigidity of being perfect—allowing herself the freedom to escape her restricting expectations.  What she finds waiting instead is an introduction to the world of CRANK.  Unable to avoid this addictive monster’s grip, she is hurled into the world of drugs and sex--finding she is pregnant after being raped.  Bree/Kristina makes the decision to keep her baby, but realizes the hardest thing to overcome will be the constant temptation for drugs—this addiction never leaves completely.
APA Reference: Hopkins, E. (2004). Crank. New York, NY: Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster. 

My Impressions: I was not enthusiastic to read such a thick book of “poetry”, but found I couldn’t put it down.  I ended reading this book in short-order and found it captivating to the end.  Wondering if Bree would find her way out of difficulty before getting into the drug-culture too deep, kept me turning the pages.  The interesting way Hopkins displayed each page, added poignancy to the text, affecting the mood of each chapter. 

Professional Review: Ott describes the free-verse and shaped poems used by Hopkins, summarizing Kristina’s life experiences leading to her difficulties and struggles with the “monster” drug, crank.  Using the freedom of her alter-ego, Bree, “she falls under its addictive and dangerous spell,” is “date-raped under the influence” and becomes pregnant.  Although she keeps the baby, “readers understand that Kristina's eternal struggle will be against the temptation of using crack.”

“Hopkins delivers a gritty, fast-paced read while effectively portraying the dangers of substance abuse without sounding pedantic or preachy.”  Recommended for teens, ages 12-18, as they can relate to the protagonist, Kristina, as she, balances responsibility and her desire for freedom, and resolving the consequences she encounters from choices made.

Ott, V. (2005, Feb.). [Review of the book Crank, by E. Hopkins]. VOYA 27(6), p. 544. Retrieved from http://www.voya.com/. 

Library Uses: Used by discussion groups, rehabilitation or high school counselors, or health education teachers, Crank could be used as addiction awareness, decision-making education, or as a jumping-off point for discussion of drug-addiction issues.  It may help inform teens of the ultra-addictive nature of certain drugs, the gravity of their consequences, balancing decision-making, and awakening awareness and prevention for friends and family members.  The potential possibility for using this text is limitless.

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